PINEVILLE – Louisiana Christian University's men's basketball team overcame a 12-point deficit midway through the second half Saturday and stunned Our Lady of the Lake 78-75.
 
Senior forward K.J. Bilbo came off the LCU bench and scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead four Wildcats scoring in douible-figures. Bilbo's double-double was complemented by a double-double from teammate Jude Akabueze, who scored 11 points and pulled in 16 rebounds.
 
Bailey Hardy scored 13 points off the LCU bench, while D'Marcus Fugett added 11 points for the 'Cats.
 
Our Lady of the Lake (13-11, 8-8 RRAC) led 65-53 with six minutes left to play in the game. The Saints still held a seven-point lead a minute and half later before the Wildcats scored nine unanswered points to claim a 71-69 advantage with 1:40 remaining. 
 
After the Saints made one out of two free throws on their next possession, Bilbo came through with an offensive rebound and layup while getting fouled with 1:14 remaining and brought the LCU crowd to its feet. He then sank the ensuing free throw to give the 'Cats a 74-70 lead.
 
OLLU cut the lead to one in the final 30 seconds and had a chance to take the lead but gave up the ball on an offensive foul. In the final nine seconds, Gary Smith knocked down four free throws (sandwiching a pair of free throws from the Saints) to keep OLLU's lead at three points. Rob Gil's attempt to tie the game as time expired missed the mark as LCU claimed a split in the season series.
 
The 'Cats return to action Thursday when they open a two-game road trip to northeast Texas at Jarvis Christian. Tipoff at Rand Gymnasium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., or approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the women's game between the two schools.